what is actuator used for in engineering?

Answer 1

'A mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical device that performs a mechanical motion in response to an input '

Answer 2

This is a device that turns an input from the operator into movement normally to open or close a valve or move part of a larger machine. The actuator would amplify the force or the range of movement or both. So the operator input might be a few mm of movement and few Newtons of force, the actuator would produce many cm of movement and thousands of Newtons of force

Answer 3

An actuator actualises things, for example if something did not exist, the actuator would make that thing an actual item.

It's handy for inventing stuff without going to all the expense of research and development. For example if you wanted a diesel engine powered shopping trolly the actuator would make it happen, just like that.

Answer 4

Actuators aren't used in engineering, they are used in field devices as a way to make things move, like a valve opening and closing.

Answer 5

A device that creates mechanical motion by converting various forms of energy to rotating or linear mechanical energy.

A motor or transducer that converts electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy to affect motion

is a device to convert an electrical control signal to a physical action. Actuators may be used for flow-control valves, pumps, positioning drives, motors, switches, relays and meters.

Related phrases: rotary actuator, bucky gel actuator, linear actuator, diaphragm actuator, direct actuator, scratch drive actuator, air actuator, multilayer actuator, intelligent actuator, electric actuator.

google definitions

Answer 6

the way my tiny little brain thinks of it is that an actuator is the things that actually does something....

Answer 7

john b is right
actuaters make things happen